We are seeking a Senior Operational Risk Oversight Manager – Process and Business to join our Second Line of Defence team. This role leads a small team responsible for overseeing the impact of operational risk on processes across the Society, as well as the application of the operational risk components of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework. By identifying and challenging process risks, you will support colleagues in strengthening controls and business practices, ultimately protecting our members and upholding high service standards.
As a senior leader within our independent Second Line Operational Risk Oversight function, you will play a pivotal role in delivering the Society’s objectives. The team’s mission is to ensure non-financial risks are effectively managed so Nationwide can serve its members safely and efficiently. In this role, you will lead a team responsible for overseeing operational processes and business practices beyond the core Chief Operating Office (which primarily owns policy and standards). You will work closely with Business Banking, branch networks, member-facing teams, and head office functions. Your efforts will help ensure each area of the business maintains robust processes and controls, delivering safe outcomes for our members and meeting regulatory expectations.
You will also act as a key link between the wider Operational Risk Oversight team and business units, ensuring operational risks are effectively identified and managed. You will guide and develop your team to produce high-quality oversight reports and clear, actionable recommendations, while collaborating closely with other risk teams to ensure a coordinated approach. As a senior leader, you will engage directly with Heads of Function and Directors across Nationwide, providing independent insight and constructive challenge in governance forums and risk committees. When required, you will step in to support or represent the Head of Operational Risk Oversight (Payments, Central Functions & Process) in key meetings.
Working with a broad range of stakeholders, you and your team will evaluate how business units identify, assess, and mitigate risks within their day-to-day operations. Through continuous monitoring, risk reviews, and targeted deep-dive assessments, you will identify process gaps and control weaknesses, supporting the development of more resilient operations. A critical element of the role is the effective application of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework across the Society, ensuring alignment with operational risk standards.
Ultimately, your leadership will directly support the Director of Operational Risk’s agenda by embedding a culture of continuous improvement and strong risk awareness, helping to protect both our members and the Society as a whole.
We are happy to consider flexible working approaches to help you perform at your best.
At Nationwide we offer hybrid working wherever possible. More rewarding relationships are supported through our hybrid approach, bringing colleagues together across our UK wide estate, whilst also supporting generous access to home working. We value our time in the office to solve problems, to learn, and to feel connected.
For this job you'll spend at least two days per week, or if part time you'll spend 40% of your working time, based at either our London or Swindon office. If you are aligned to our Glasgow hub (as this is your nearest location), there will be a need to regularly connect and collaborate with colleagues. This is anticipated to be weekly in Glasgow. If your application is successful, your hiring manager will provide further details on how this works. You can also find out more about our approach to hybrid working here.
If we receive a high volume of relevant applications, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so please apply as soon as you can.
Responsibilities
What you’ll be doing
You will lead the operational risk oversight of Nationwide’s business processes, managing a small team of risk professionals to ensure consistent and effective oversight. The team will deliver independent assessments of operational risk across processes, as well as the effective application of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework.
On a day-to-day basis, you will guide your team in reviewing how different business areas identify, assess, and manage their operational risks, ensuring adherence to established risk frameworks and policies. You will be responsible for prioritising and coordinating assurance activities, including deep dives into critical processes, continuous monitoring, and participation in risk forums, with a focus on areas of greatest impact to our members and the Society.
By working closely with other specialist risk teams, you will promote best practices in risk management and facilitate knowledge sharing across the Second Line of Defence. Under your leadership, the team will produce high-quality risk assessments and actionable recommendations, which you will regularly present to senior management.
Your work will contribute to improving operational efficiency, reducing the risk of errors and compliance breaches, and supporting the Director of Operational Risk by providing independent assurance over the Society’s critical processes and control environment.
About you
You will have:
Proven leadership experience in operational risk or audit, with a strong track record of managing teams and delivering effective risk oversight within large, complex organisations (financial services experience is highly desirable).
Strong expertise in operational risk management frameworks and processes, including hands-on experience with risk and control self-assessments (RCSAs), control testing, and policy compliance within a corporate environment.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the credibility to influence senior leaders (including Heads of Function and Directors) to strengthen risk management practices across diverse business areas.
Demonstrated ability to generate meaningful risk insights and drive improvements, identifying common issues across multiple functions and implementing solutions that enhance control effectiveness and consistency.
Highly organised, resilient, and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, alongside a strong commitment to developing team capability and supporting individual growth.
Our customer first behaviours put customers and members at the heart of how we work together. They are the set of behaviours that every colleague needs to display, in every role:
Feel what customers feel - We step into our customers’ shoes, using their feedback and insights to empathise with them and to understand their needs, so that every decision we make starts and finishes with our customers in mind
Say it straight - We are brave in speaking out and saying what we think – we’re honest and direct with good intent, openly sharing diverse perspectives to reach the best conclusions and using language everyone can understand
Push for better - We don’t settle for mediocrity, we challenge the status quo, taking responsibility for continuous improvement and personal development
Get it done - We prioritise what will have the greatest impact, we are decisive, and we take accountability for delivering brilliant customer outcomes
You can strengthen your application by showing how our customer first behaviours resonate with you, and where you may have already demonstrated these.
Qualifications
The extras you’ll get
There are all sorts of employee benefits available at Nationwide, including:
30 days holiday, pro rata
Access to private medical insurance
A highly competitive pension to help you build a strong foundation for retirement
Access to an annual performance-related bonus
Training and development to help you progress your career
A great selection of additional benefits through our salary sacrifice scheme
Life assurance to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones in the event of your death
Wellhub – access to a range of free and paid options for health and wellness
Up to 2 days of paid volunteering a year
Banking – but fairer, more rewarding, and for the good of society
We forge our own path at Nationwide.
As a mutual, we’re owned by our members - those customers who bank, save or have a mortgage with us. We challenge the financial sector status quo. We don’t see customers as the engine of our own profit. We share our profits with them and put their needs first. Always there when they need us. Supporting them and their lives.
If you’re inspired by fairer finances, passionate about making a meaningful impact, and truly care about our customers, you’re one of us.
At Nationwide, you are challenged to grow and rewarded for doing so. Valued. Recognised. Inspired to be your best. As a community, we want our working lives to count. As a team, we celebrate what we achieve. As a standard-setter, we work for the good of customers, communities, and broader society.
We are purpose-driven. Uncompromisingly customer. Unstoppably Nationwide.
What to do next
If this role is for you, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button. You’ll need to attach your up-to-date CV and answer a few quick questions for us.
We respond to everyone, so we will be in contact shortly after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.
Please note that should you be successful in securing this role, the job title on our internal systems will be Senior Risk Manager.
Contact Details:
Nationwide Building Society Recruitment Team
